Nairobi: The government has stepped up efforts to safeguard Kenya’s vast ocean wealth through Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), a key tool for balancing conservation with economic growth in marine and coastal resources. The Deputy Head of the Public Service, Amos Gathecha, emphasized the significance of MSP in unlocking opportunities across the fisheries, maritime transport, tourism, and biodiversity conservation sectors, which hold immense potential for job creation and national development.

According to Kenya News Agency, Gathecha made these remarks at Harambee House, Nairobi, during a meeting with senior officials and representatives from The Nature Conservancy (TNC). He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing the blue economy in line with Vision 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. He stressed the importance of effective monitoring and enforcement, warning that without these measures, Kenya’s fisheries economy could fail to reach its full potential, thereby threatening food security, the national economy, and community livelihoods.

Kenya is now positioning itself to achieve 100 percent transparency and compliance in all industrial fishing vessels by 2030 through the adoption of Electronic Monitoring (EM) systems. These systems, equipped with onboard cameras, GPS, and sensors, will complement human observer programs to strengthen surveillance, enhance transparency, and secure access to international markets. With Kenya’s industrial fleet expanding, EM technology is expected to bolster fisheries monitoring, provide faster communication, and ensure global compliance standards.

Gathecha further noted that MSP will not only balance economic growth with environmental protection but also strengthen food security, national resilience, and tourism attractiveness by safeguarding marine biodiversity. Kenya aims to complete the MSP planning phase and begin implementation by December 2026, aligning with global targets to protect 30 percent of ocean space. Currently, less than one percent of Kenya’s ocean waters fall under marine protection, underscoring the urgency of accelerating conservation and management efforts.

‘Protecting marine animals not only preserves the ecosystem but also enhances Kenya’s competitiveness as a global tourism destination,’ Gathecha added. The initiative is expected to drive sustainable ocean management, creating wealth and opportunities for communities while ensuring the long-term health of Kenya’s marine resources.